Latest news with #AdamBryan
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Blue Angels sued for killing Seattle woman's cat. What Pensacola has to say about that
A Seattle, Washington, woman has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Navy's elite high-flying aerobatics squadron, the Blue Angels, blaming them for killing 'the greatest cat that ever lived' with the 'sonic assaults' they inflict during their annual August show over Puget Sound. Lauren Ann Lombardi filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging that her 14-year-old cat 'Layla,' which she loved like a daughter, died as a result of the Blue Angels 'auditory carpet bombing.' The suit says the elderly cat's health started deteriorating after the Blue Angels' show in August 2024 and their most recent show was the final straw. 'Layla's final days on Earth were marred by sadistic suffering – cowering in terror beneath furniture while her ailing heart struggled against the Blue Angels's relentless noise pollution,' the lawsuit reads. 'Layla died knowing only fear when she should have known only love.' The lawsuit says when Lombardi took to social media to take the team to task for what she said was deadly, excessive noise, the Blue Angels blocked her and denied her constitutional rights to free speech and left her 'unable to voice her grief or otherwise hold her government accountable for its role in her family's suffering.' Lombardi specifically names Cmdr. Adam Bryan is his capacity as commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Lt. Ben Bushong in his capacity as public affairs officer for the Blue Angels, and defendant 'J. Doe,' in their capacity as social media administrator of the Blue Angels, and who is responsible for managing the Blue Angels' social media accounts and blocked her on the social media outlet Instagram. While Lombardi says she 'respects and supports' the United States Armed Forces and their mission, her criticism of the Navy's flying team was specific to environmental and constitutional harms caused by their demonstration practices and 'subsequent censorship activities.' Pensacola loves the Blues: Blue Angels crazy? That's us, and we have Blue Angel schools, streets, churches as proof 'Layla was the greatest cat that ever lived, and her final days on this Earth were pockmarked by debilitating terror brought on by the actions of the United States Government,' Lombardi states in the lawsuit. She said for the past several years, even before Layla's health began to deteriorate, she sent multiple critical messages to the Blue Angels social media account including: 'Stop with your 'F***** b****** you are terrorizing my cat and all the other animals and wildlife. F*** off,' and 'Nobody gives a f*** about your stupid little planes.' In addition, Lombardi said she left multiple comments on @usnavyblueangels posts or tagging their handle on other accounts' posts, directing other users to sign a petition titled 'We All Want to Feel Safe: No More Blue Angels Over Seattle.' Around Aug. 5, 2023, the Blue Angels blocked Lombardi's account from any further interactions. In response, Lombardi sent them a direct message calling them 'cowards' which appeared to send but was never delivered due to the blocking. Money for Blues' hangar repairs: U.S. House greenlights $15 million for Blue Angels hangar repairs, S. Navy Blvd project She said the move to block her impacted her ability to grieve over her lost cat and denied her First Amendment right to free speech. The lawsuit is making national headlines and fans in Pensacola, the home of the Blue Angels, are reacting. Responding to a Seattle Times article about some Seattle residents seeking to stop future Blue Angels air shows, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves stated on his X account: 'Come on back to Pensacola this weekend then! Some of my favorite noise!" The comment was accompanied by an American flag and a salute emojis. Others on social media reacted to the story by defending the Blues including against the occasional opposing comment. One social media user replied to a recent Blues Angels Instagram post saying they should 'stop killing people's cats.' Another user replied, 'Respectfully it's not their problem and the cat was old and had a heart condition. The Blue Angels aren't going to stop their shows because of scared pets or people with PTSD or people who don't like loud noise.' Lombardi said in the lawsuit she has and continues to suffer frustration and distress over Layla's loss and "prevention from participating in public discourse about subsequent Blue Angels performances and their impact on vulnerable populations." She is asking the court to declare that the Blues blocking her from their official Instagram account as unconstitutional and to award her costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, as well as "any additional relief as may be just and proper." The News Journal reached out to the Blue Angels for comment, but they did not respond by deadline. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels sued for kiling Seattle woman's cat
The Independent
24-07-2025
- The Independent
Seattle woman sues Blue Angels claiming the military jets traumatized her dying cat
A Seattle woman has sued the Navy Blue Angels, claiming its military jets traumatized her dying cat. The Navy's flight demonstration squadron, made up of 140 active-duty Sailors and Marines, has been performing shows across the country since 1946. They have a show scheduled in Seattle in early August. A lawsuit filed by Lauren Ann Lombardi on Monday claimed the Blue Angels' annual airshows over Seattle in August 2023 and 2024 put her cat Layla, who suffered from congestive heart disease, under extreme distress, local outlet KIRO 7 first reported. Lombardi claimed the sound of the squadron's low-flying fighter jets caused Layla to have panic attacks and dangerously elevated her heart rate. She was put down in August 2024. 'Layla's final days on Earth were marred by sadistic suffering — cowering in terror beneath furniture while her ailing heart struggled against the Blue Angels's relentless noise pollution. Layla died knowing only fear when she should have known only love,' the lawsuit read. The lawsuit was filed against Commander Adam Bryan, the commanding officer of the Blue Angels; Lieutenant Ben Bushong, public affairs officer of the Blue Angels, and an unnamed social media administrator of the Blue Angels. When the The Independent reached out to the Blue Angels, a representative said it does not comment on pending litigation. Lombardi also claimed she was censored when she tried to voice her opposition to the airshows on Instagram. She had written online criticisms of the Blue Angels, which included profane language, and she also shared a petition titled, 'We All Want to Feel Safe: No More Blue Angels Over Seattle.' Lombardi said her account was blocked by the official Blue Angeles Instagram account following these online criticisms. 'She was prevented from commenting, receiving information, or participating in public discussions on the page,' the lawsuit said, claiming it violated her First Amendment rights. The lawsuit seeks to have her account unblocked and prohibit the Blue Angels from blocking other accounts 'on the basis of viewpoint.' Lombardi is also asking for the defendants to complete training on the importance of the First Amendment.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet the new and returning Blue Angels pilots ahead of the Pensacola Beach Air Show
The Blue Angels are back for their first hometown air show of the 79th season, and they're bringing back some new and familiar faces. Three new Blue Angels pilots will make their Pensacola Beach Air Show debut on Thursday, with two joining the main flight demonstration squad and the third joining the ranks of the team's beloved support aircraft, "Fat Albert." Get to know all of the new and returning Blue Angels pilots below. A native of Canton, Connecticut, Cmdr. Adam Bryan graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in economics. Following his commissioning, he attended flight school in Pensacola and continued his training at NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville. In July 2007, he earned his designation as a naval aviator and joined the VFA-106 "Gladiators" for initial fleet training as an FA-18C pilot. In April 2024, he was selected to command the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, assuming command in November 2024. Bryan was recognized as the George Bush First Tour Naval Aviator of the Year in 2011 and as the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic Pilot of the Year in 2016. Cmdr. Jack Keilty is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School, graduating in 2005. He attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he lettered in football and earned a bachelor's degree in history in 2010. Upon graduation he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy and reported to NAS Pensacola for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API). Keilty joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated more than 2,700 flight hours and 484 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include a Strike Flight Air Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other unit and personal awards. Major Brandon Wilkins is a native of Beaufort, South Carolina. The son of a career Marine officer and naval aviator, Wilkins grew up mostly on the east coast to include South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington D.C. He attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 2007. Wilkins joined the Blue Angels in September of 2024 and has accumulated more than 2300 flight hours and has 331 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include three Strike Flight Air Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards. Brandon is also a two time "Top Five Nugget" and seven time "Top Ten" ball flier for carrier landing performance. Lt. Cmdr. James Wesley Perkins is a native of Pordenone, Italy, grew up in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from Hutto High School in 2009. He attended Texas A&M University graduating with a degree in ocean engineering in 2014. Perkins commissioned as an Ensign through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Perkins joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and has 205 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various other unit and personal awards. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from St. Paul's School in 2004 lettering in football, wrestling and lacrosse. After graduation, he attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island, for one year prior to attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Zimmerman lettered in lacrosse at both schools and graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in ocean engineering, earning his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2009. Zimmerman joined the Blue Angels in September 2022. He has accumulated more than 3,100 flight hours and 542 carrier-arrested landings. His decorations include a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, and various other unit and personal awards. Lt. Cmdr. Connor O'Donnell is a native of Freeport, Maine, and graduated from Yarmouth High School in 2011. Following high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a bachelor's degree in operations research in 2015 . O'Donnell joined the Blue Angels in September 2023. He has accumulated over 1,200 flight hours and more than 200 carrier-arrested landings. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various unit and service awards. Maj. Samuel Petko is a native of Osceola, Indiana. He graduated from Penn High School in 2009, where he wrestled and played rugby. After high school, he attended Indiana University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. In 2016, he earned a commission as a 2nd. Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps through Officer Candidate School and reported to The Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Petko joined the Blue Angels in 2022. He has accumulated more than 1,500 flight hours and multiple instructor qualifications over the course of multiple joint, bilateral and multilateral exercises in the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility. His decorations include the Humanitarian Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal and service support medals. Capt. Isaac Van Zandt Becker is a native of Austin, Texas. While a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Becker applied for the Platoon Leaders Course and attended Officer Candidate School in May 2016. After graduating from Colorado College in May 2017 with a degree in geology, Becker commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he then received orders to report to The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. As an aviation contract, Becker graduated from Fox Company, TBS in March 2018. Becker reported to the Blue Angels in September 2023. His awards include the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. Maj. Joshua Horman was born in Smithville, Missouri. After graduating from William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, with a degree in business administration, Horman completed Officer Candidate School and commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps. In The Basic School, Horman picked up a competitive Naval Flight Officer (NFO) contract and began his journey into naval aviation. Horman has participated in deployments or exercises in the African, European, Middle Eastern and Pacific areas of responsibility. His decorations include four Strike/Flight Air Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other personal and unit awards, according to his bio on the team's website. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Meet the Blue Angels pilots performing at Pensacola Beach Air Show
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blue Angels call signs range from 'Uncle Rico' to 'Trash Blast'Er'. How'd they get them?
The 2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show is just days away, which means many are planning to head out to the beach to get a glimpse of the Blue Angels. Most everyone knows the iconic blue and gold jets of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels, and diehard fans might even know the names and call signs of the pilots who fly them. What many people likely don't know is how the pilots got their call signs. While many budding pilots usually want a call sign that sounds cool, the reality is that even among the skillfully elite, like the Blue Angel pilots, call signs are anything but cool. Call signs tend to be playful nicknames that reference where a pilot might be from, their physical appearance or even a mistake they've made in the past. Although most of the time a pilot's call sign is public knowledge, the story behind how that pilot received the call sign can be a complete secret outside of the few who know them best. Here's a list of the 2025 season's pilots, their call signs, and what we know about its origin. Leading the Blue Angels for his first season, Cmdr. Adam Bryan will go by the call sign "Boss" just like every other Blue Angel No. 1. However, when Bryan finishes his tenure as leader of the Flying Blues at the conclusion of the 2026 season, he will return to the fleet using his given call sign "Gilligan." While not much is known about how Bryan received his call sign, it's potentially a reference to the television show "Gilligan's Island," featuring the accident-prone Gilligan, first mate of the SS Minnow. Blue Angel No. 2, Cmdr. Jack Keilty goes by the call sign "Uncle Rico" while flying. Again, there's not much public knowledge regarding how Keilty received the name, but many will recognize the cult classic film his call sign originated from. Keilty's wife, Mekele, has taken to social media discussing her husband's call sign, saying he typically will just go by "Rico" in flight to prevent a "mouth full" for other pilots. Along with it, she attached a photo of Uncle Rico Dynamite from 2004 film "Napoleon Dynamite," hinting at the character being the foundation of Keilty's call sign. Many know the character of Uncle Rico for his persistent nostalgia of his high school football days, believing he could've made it as a football star if he didn't injured his knee. Viewers also know him for his self-proclaimed ability to "throw a pigskin" a quarter of a mile "back in '82." The call sign for No. 3 pilot Maj. Brandon "Wobbly" Wilkins seems to be a mystery as Wilkins has not made any public statements regarding his call sign. With perhaps the most eyebrow-raising name, Lt. Cmdr. Wes "Trash Blast'Er" Perkins flies as Blue Angel No. 4. The reason for his call sign is publicly unknown, along with the reason for the specific spelling of the name. The pilot of the No. 5 jet, Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, goes by the call sign 'Franz,' which was inspired by the Saturday Night Live skit featuring characters Hans and Franz, who were portrayed by Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon. The exact reference remains shrouded in mystery, but the iconic skits follow Hans and Franz, two jocks who idolize Arnold Schwarzenegger and want to help their audience develop a Schwarzenegger-like physique through their workout program. Throughout the skits, the duo synchronously pepper in their iconic catchphrase, 'We want to pump you up' while also using funny but confusing wordplay like 'Hear me now and believe this later.' Lt. Cmdr. Connor "Buddy" O'Donnell flies No. 6, the opposing solo, for the squadron. O'Donnell does not appear to have shared publicly how he received his call sign. Flying Blue Angel No. 7 and serving as the team's narrator, Maj. Scott Laux goes by the call sign "Goldie." Laux's last name is pronounced like "locks," making it apparent why his call sign stems from the classic English fairy tale "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Contributors: Brandon Girod, PNJ This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Beach Blue Angels airshow pilot call signs
